2015 Summer Membership Drive

NTEU Chapter 280 is starting the 2015 Summer Membership Drive from June 1^st to September 1^st, 2015 to bring new members into NTEU.  Our goal is to sign at least 25 new members by the end of this membership drive.

 

As an incentive to help achieve our goal, we are offering $100.00 to each new member recruited between June 1^st and September 1^st, 2015.  In addition, each member who recruits a new member, receives a dues rebate of $50.00 as well.  Just let the new member complete and sign an SF-1187 form, put your name and address on the form, mail, fax, or hand deliver the form to me and you will receive a check for $50.00 by mail after the new member’s name is added to the payroll list of NTEU members. 

 

Please remember that our strength is in our numbers.  More members equate to a more diverse, robust and influential union with the resources necessary to further our mission and to promote our goals.  With everyone’s help and participation, we’re sure to make this campaign a great success.  Thank you in advance for your support of this important project.

The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and Unpaid Overtime

Several of our members have inquired about the AFGE settlement with EPA regarding unpaid overtime.  NTEU280 was not a party to this lawsuit or to the settlement.  Therefore, we cannot answer questions about the details of the lawsuit or its settlement, and  we will refer all interested parties to AFGE for further information. 

 

It is our chapter's understanding that AFGE sued EPA for unpaid overtime for their bargaining unit employees who should have been covered by the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), including those who were incorrectly classified as FLSA-exempt by the agency.  It is also our chapter's understanding that the FLSA status of these employees has been corrected and that many employees will be receiving payment for uncompensated overtime they have already worked and for which they are entitled to compensation. 

FLSA-covered employees are generally employees who are in non-professional titles such as environmental protection specialist, management analyst, program analyst, secretary, etc.  Those in professional job titles such as attorney, scientist, engineer, economist, statistician, accountant, etc. are generally FLSA-exempt employees.  Therefore, NTEU280 bargaining unit employees are generally FLSA-exempt employees. 

 

Although FLSA-exempt, employees in the NTEU280 bargaining unit are still entitled to compensation for overtime work – specifically, under the Federal Employee Pay Act, professional employees are entitled to either our regular pay rate for overtime or compensatory time off.  Our employees are not entitled to the same overtime as FLSA-covered employees, who are typically entitled to 1.5 times their regular rate of pay.  Also, FLSA-exempt employees’ overtime must be officially ordered or approved; whereas FLSA-covered employees’ overtime may include work that is “suffered and permitted.” 

 

And there is an additional wrinkle:  whether an employee is covered by FLSA is driven by the individual’s actual duties, among other factors.  Although NTEU280 bargaining units employees are in professional titles that are generally FLSA-exempt, this may not be true of each and every individual.  FLSA status may be challenged on an individual employee basis.  For example:  An individual in a professional title (e.g., economist) who actually performs mostly non-professional duties (e.g.,  duties of a program analyst) may challenge his or her FLSA status.  If such a challenge is made, there is some risk that,  if management determines that enough of the duties are no longer professional duties, the employee's job title might be changed to a non-professional title. 

 

 

 

Reminder: Winter Warm-Up Membership Drive Extended to March 5th

The NTEU280 winter “Warm-Up Membership Drive” has been extended until midnight, March 5, 2015.  For each new member you bring into the Union, you get a $50 dues rebate and the new member gets $100 back. 

 

Your Right to Union Representation During an Investigatory Interview (Weingarten Rights)

Several members have asked for clarification regarding management’s recent mass mailer regarding Weingarten rights (the notice was sent February 10, 2015 at 12:09 p.m. with the subject “Annual Weingarten Right Notice to Bargaining Unit Employees”).  Since management gave only the basic annual notice required by law, we are providing additional information. 

 If you find yourself summoned to an investigatory interview, then you should exercise your Weingarten rights and immediately request union representation.  It is up to you to request a union representative.  Do not wait for management or whomever is questioning you to ask if you want a union representative.  

 

·        What is an investigatory interview?  An investigatory interview happens when 1) any representative of the agency questions you and 2) you reasonably believe that discipline or some other adverse consequence could result.   Note that meetings where management only wants to discuss your performance or work assignments do not typically trigger Weingarten rights. 

 

·        Who is a representative of the agency?  A representative of the agency is anyone acting on behalf of the agency and typically includes: your supervisor or someone else in management, representatives from labor and employee relations (LER) or human resources (HR), or an investigator from the Office of the Inspector General (OIG).  Other people may be acting as representatives of the agency, as well. 

 

·        Why are they called Weingarten rights?  Weingarten comes from the name of the case that established an employee’s right to have a union representative present when being questioned by management about potential misconduct, if the employee requests union representation.

 

The following helpful information is excerpted from NTEU National’s website (www.nteu.org): 

 

Interview Request? Call NTEU First

Federal employees are a scrutinized bunch. They are poked and prodded and sometimes, investigated. If you get summoned to an investigatory interview, even if you are not the focus of the investigation, here is some good advice: contact your local NTEU chapter. It is an important step for two reasons: one, employees generally do not get union representation during such interviews unless they ask for it; and, second, interview requests can come from a number of sources, not all of which are required to notify NTEU of an upcoming interview. Under federal labor law, you have the right to be represented during any interview you reasonably believe could result in discipline—but you have to ask for representation. That is why the first step you should take is to inform NTEU that you have been scheduled for an interview, whether or not you are the principal subject of the interview. Your right to representation is named for the 1975 Supreme Court case that gave rise to it. They are your ‘Weingarten rights.’ That was a private sector legal case, but when the 1978 Civil Service Reform Act was passed, Congress included Weingarten rights for federal employees. It doesn’t matter who scheduled the interview…. so long as the interviewer is acting as a representative of the agency and you reasonably believe discipline could result. Always assume you have the right to representation and be sure to ask for it. “The right to be represented during an investigatory interview is a very important one for federal employees,” said President Colleen M. Kelley. “NTEU representatives can help employees during the interview by clarifying questions or answers, help the employee provide favorable or extenuating facts, and advise the employee or suggest others who may have knowledge of relevant facts.” Remember to ask for representation. It’s your right under the law.

If you have believe you are in need of union representation, please contact NTEU280 immediately.  We are here to assist you. 

 

Amer Al-Mudallal, President, NTEU 280, 202-566-2789

Diane Lynne, Executive Vice President, NTEU 280, 202-566-2786

Anne-Marie Pastorkovich, Senior Vice President, NTEU 280, 202-566-2787

Sean Carter, Chief Steward, NTEU 280, 202-566-2784

 

NTEU Files National Grievance against EPA Over Retroactive Transit Subsidy Benefits

On December 19, 2014, the Tax Increase Prevention Act (TIPA) was signed into law. The legislation retroactively increased the maximum, nontaxable amount of the transportation fringe benefit from $130 per month to $250 per month for calendar year 2014, although it did nothing to extend that benefit into 2015. 

 

Article 57 of the parties’ Collective Bargaining Agreement requires the EPA to “support the transit subsidy program to the maximum allowable as a tax-free benefit under the Internal Revenue Service Code.”

 

After TIPA was enacted, NTEU contacted EPA to ascertain whether the agency would pay retroactive transit subsidies to employees for 2014.  On February 18, 2015, EPA informed NTEU that the agency will not be providing a retroactive transit subsidy for 2014.  Consequently, NTEU has a national grievance against EPA seeking to recover retroactive transit subsidy benefits for bargaining unit employees who incurred public transit costs of more than $130 per month and up to $250 per month in commuting costs.  In accordance with Article 57 the parties’ Collective Bargaining Agreement, EPA must pay the difference between the $130 monthly transportation subsidy and up to the retroactive monthly subsidy of $250 to employees who paid more than $130 per month in public transportation costs for the period of January 1, 2014 through December 31, 2014.

 

NTEU recently received favorable FLRA decisions in both HHS and CBP concerning retroactive transit subsidies, and we expect a similar outcome with our national grievance against EPA.

 

For more information, contact: 
Amer Al-Mudallal, President
NTEU Chapter 280 202-566-2789

Update on Bicycling at EPA HQ

Back in June, we had reported upon issues and concerns NTEU280 had raised with regard to the inadequacy of bike facilities at Federal Triangle.  The urgency came about because of the rapid consolidation of EPA's L Street employees into Federal Triangle.  (About 20% of L Street employees bicycled in at least some of the time, which is an extremely high bicycling participation rate.)   

Many months have passed, and we are happy to report that we have made progress on bicycling facilities issues.  While still at EPA, former Deputy Administrator Bob Perciasepe took a personal interest in bicycle commuters and in facilitating a cooperative approach.  There is now an EPA Bicycle Facilities Workgroup, which includes members representing the bicycling community (HQ bicycling coordinators in Federal Triangle and Potomac Yard), employee unions (NTEU280, AFGE3331), and facilities management (SHEMD, LER).  Working together, we have identified many needs and goals, both short and long term, and we have already begun to make visible progress towards developing safe, clean, attractive, and necessary facilities for bicycle commuters.  For example, employees may have noticed the courtyard racks that were installed in the Fall.  Facilities, working with GSA, was able to refurbish, re-paint and re-use existing racks, meeting a need for additional covered and secure bike parking - and saving funds at the same time. 

NTEU280 is encouraged and enthused to work cooperatively to improve existing bike facilities and to plan for the development of future bike facilities at EPA HQ buildings.

"NTEU: Building a Stronger America" - 2015 - Washington, DC

Representatives of NTEU chapters from all over the country have arrived in DC for the 2015 Legislative Conference.  The theme this year is NTEU:  Building a Stronger America.  Today there was an plenary session, hosted and addressed by President Colleen Kelley.  Among the speakers were Senator Mazie Hirono and NTEU National Vice President Tony Reardon.  Major issues queued up for NTEU members this year include the following items that have a direct impact upon our NTEU280 members: 

• Sequestration and Agency Funding.  You may recall that there was a Bipartisan Budget Act of 2013 that provided temporary relief covering FY14 and FY15.  But absent further action, sequestration is here to stay through 2021 and we could start feeling its sting anew in FY16, when the temproary relief ends.  Therefore, NTEU continues its call to end the sequestration.    
• Federal Employee Pay.  As we are all painfully aware, over the past five calendar years, Federal employees have received only two 1% pay raises, in 2014 and 2015.  (For 2011-2013, there was no adjustment at all to the pay scale.)  There has been no change to locality pay for the past five calendar years.  At the opening address, President Colleen Kelley explained how and why NTEU supports a 3.8% pay raise for 2016.  This modest amount would both take a step towards a more "normal" pay raise and would also address the lagging locality pay.
• Federal Retirement.  Twenty-five years ago, FERS replaced CSRS.  Although from an employee perspective, FERS is less generous than the "old" CSRS system, FERS has achieved its stated goals of being both sound and funded.  Many of us may not realize this, but newer employees have faced "tweaks" to FERS effective December 31, 2012 and December 31, 2013, respectively, and that these "tweaks" have resulted in them paying more for their retirement benefits than those of us hired before those dates.  An employee hired after December 31, 2012, pays 2.3% more of their salary towards retirement benefits.  And, as of December 31, 2013, that amount bumped up by an additional 1.3%, which means that the newest hires are paying 3.6% more for their retirement benefits.  This devaluation of retirement benefits affects recruitment and retention efforts by agencies. 
• Employee Rights in the Federal Workplace.   Most government employees, including those in our bargaining unit, have due process and contractual rights that protect them should management decide to take an adverse action against them.  These due process and contractual rights are valuable as they may protect an employee who, in the course of doing his or her duty, points out ("blows the whistle") waste or other wrongdoing.  These rights also help to ensure that personnel actions are done correctly and are carried out lawfully.  Maintaining employee rights maintains the integrity of government service. 

Although not directly related to our agency, there is a serious issue that directly affects our sister Chapters in CBP.  At the opening address, President Kelley pointed out that DHS was not funded for all of FY15 with the rest of  our agencies - and that their funding, frozen at FY14 levels, only runs through February 27th. Therefore, time is running out to address their budget and avoid a lapse in funding. 

President Kelley reported that the regulations for phased retirement have now happened, and that now NTEU is focusing on getting agencies to actually implement them.  She also spoke about the recent Presidential instruction regarding parental leave and NTEU's focus on moving that issue forward. 

In her opening address, President Kelley welcomed representatives from some newer NTEU Chapters, including those at Commodity Futures Trading Commission and the National Park Service in the National Capital Area.  There is strength in numbers. 

5th Annual People's Conference on Fluoride

The 5th Annual People's Conference on Fluoride, which will be held at the Crystal City Hyatt Regency Hotel, 2799 Jefferson Davis Highway, on Sept. 5 - 8. Information about the conference and a detailed agenda are available at http://fluoridealert.org/content/the-5th-citizens-conference-on-fluoride/. 

Recent research on developmental neurotoxicity will be featured in the science portion of the Conference. Professor Quangyong Xiang from Fudan University (formerly Shanghai Medical University) will present his research findings that showed a decrement in children's IQ as a function of fluoride exposure. 

Dr. William Hirzy, former Senior Scientist in the Risk Assessment Division, Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxic Substances, will discuss a risk assessment for developmental neurotoxicity based on the work of Professor Xiang and other research groups that was published by Choi et al. in Environmental Health Perspectives in 2012.  (Dr. Hirzy, a long time member of NTEU280, held various elected offices with our chapter during his career.)

There will also be a law panel which will discuss the legal implications in the United States and Canada for tort and regulatory actions that flow from recent research findings, including the 2006 National Research Council Report on Fluoride Toxicity.

 

For more information, members may contact Dr. William Hirzy. 

 

In Memory of our EPA Colleague, Adrian W. Burns

It is great sadness that we report that our EPA colleague, Adrian W. Burns, passed away on Sunday, July 27, 2014. 

 

Adrian was a widely respected Chemist at the OPP/BEAD/ Analytical Chemistry Branch (ACB) Laboratory and a longtime member of NTEU280.  Adrian began his government career at the USDA and came into the EPA at the agency’s inception in 1970.  He spent his career in OPP analyzing pesticides for product chemistry. 

 

Adrian was very active in both AOAC International and CIPAC (Collaborative International Pesticides Analytical Council).  Adrian served multiple terms as the AOAC International Chair of Committee A: Pesticide and Disinfectant Formulations and also multiple terms as a member of the AOAC Official Methods Board. Adrian also served on the Board for the AOAC Research Institute. His awards included, Committee Chair of the Year, and the AOAC Fellow Award and he also served as the US representative to CIPAC. 

 

President Directs Executive Branch Departments and Agencies to Enhance Workplace Flexibilities and Work-Life Program; Help NTEU280 Make Sure EPA Management Delivers

On June 24, 2014, all bargaining unit employees should have received an e-mail from NTEU280 President Amer Al-Mudallal asking them to take a very brief survey about working hours.  The subject of the e-mail is “Survey to Help NTEU Preserve Flexible Working Hours.”  (If you are a BUE and have not received that survey, please contact us and we will get it to you right away!  It will take you only a couple minutes to complete!)

In recent months, we at the union have heard of EPA managers who have been acting to restrict employee work schedules, including informing employees who had previously worked past 6 p.m. that they can no longer have their longstanding work schedules.  We want to know how widespread the problem is, and how important being able to work before 6 a.m. or after 6 p.m. is to our employees.  So far, we have received a high response rate to the survey.  We would like to hear from every single employee in the bargaining unit. 

It is interesting to note that, a day earlier, on June 23, 2014, President Obama issued a memorandum to all Department and Agency heads directing them to take certain steps to expand access to workplace flexibilities, including in work schedules.  The President noted that the “Federal Government must also identify and eliminate any arbitrary or unnecessary barriers or limitations to the use of these flexibilities and develop new strategies consistent with statute and agency mission to foster a more balanced workplace.” 

We applaud the President’s directive and hope that EPA management will embrace it as far as accommodating different work schedules and expanding the availability of telework.  We at the union are acutely aware that EPA has slipped down in the Federal Viewpoint Survey results, losing ground to agencies such as US Patent & Trademark Office and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, which grant employees greater flexibility in work hours and telework.  We want to ensure that EPA’s management response to the President’s direction is more helpful than, e.g., merely sending a mass mailer e-mail once a year to tell employees telework exists (whether they can get it or not).  Your union wants to see a substantive response that includes expansion of work schedule options and encouragement of telework. We applaud the President’s official recognition that work-life balance is an important part of attracting and retaining a highly talented and motivated work force.      

Now more than ever, your membership in NTEU280 matters.  Together, we can make a difference. 

You can read the Presidential Memorandum here:  http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2014/06/23/presidential-memorandum-enhancing-workplace-flexibilities-and-work-life-.

If you are not yet a member of NTEU280 and wish to join us, please fill out an 1187 and get it to a chapter representative (you can get an 1187 here: https://www.nteu.org/Documents/SF1187CMK.pdf).  Remember, we are currently running a limited time $100 reduction in dues offer for new members (http://nteu280fishbowl.blogspot.com/2014/06/2014-summer-membership-drive.html)!

NTEU280 Fishbowl is now on Twitter.

Members:  NTEU 280's "Inside the Fishbowl" newsletter is now on Twitter. 

Follow us: @nteu280

When we publish new Fishbowl articles or announcements we will tweet them. 

2014 Summer Membership Drive

Get a Rebate on Your Dues!

2014 Summer Membership Drive

Receive $50

for each new member you recruit from June 1 to September 30

 

New members receive $100

for joining during June, July, August, and September!

 

Fill out a SF-1187 with the new member’s information, have the new member sign the form, and staple a note to the form with your name and address. Once her or his eligibility is confirmed, each of you will receive your rebate check by mail.

 

Thank you for supporting NTEU.

NTEU280 Advocates for Bike Facilities at Federal Triangle

One of the unfortunate effects of the upcoming consolidation moves at Federal Triangle is the loss of EPA’s excellent bike commuting facility at 1310 L Street.  At L Street, we estimate that approximately 20% of the employees, who work for the Office of Air and Radiation (OAR), are bike commuting at least some of the time.  Part of the reason for the high number of bike commuters at L Street is undoubtedly the attractiveness and convenience of the facility there – it is safe, it is clean, and it is well-designed specifically to meet the needs of cyclists.  This July, the lease is up and OAR will leave L Street - and its desirable bike room - behind.  OAR employees will be absorbed into the Federal Triangle complex and into the existing bike facilities, which are already crowded.  The only attractive bike facility at Federal Triangle is in the Reagan Building, and it is at capacity, with a waiting list for lockers.   

On May 14, 2014, the article “EPA Will Close Its Best Bike Room” by Jim Titus, appeared on the Greater Greater Washington blog.  [ http://greatergreaterwashington.org/post/22825/epa-will-close-its-best-bike-room/ ] We highly recommend that article, which includes photographs of the L Street bike room.  The blog entry was widely shared, “tweeted” and circulated throughout the bike advocacy community, generating many helpful comments including one by “Sweaty Cyclist” who remarked on the original blog post on May 27, 2014: “Sounds like you need a union!” 

In fact, your union has heard the concerns of our bike commuters loud and clear.  NTEU280 has been working hard to get EPA management to fully grasp the advantages of providing all EPA employees access to safe, clean, and attractive bike facilities.  We understand that we could lose many bike commuters if the L Street facility is not adequately replicated or replaced at Federal Triangle.  We continue to reach out to management to get them to understand the same concerns that the union is hearing from employees.  We continue to seek solutions that will encourage bike commuting. 

To this end, NTEU280 has submitted various move-related demands to management to ensure that Federal Triangle is able to absorb 148 new cyclists without any adverse impact upon those already at Federal Triangle and using the facilities.  EPA bike coordinators at Federal Triangle and at L Street have identified the extent of existing bike facilities and have outlined the needs and challenges.  NTEU280 will continue our efforts to get management to understand employee concerns and respond appropriately.  Thus far, management has only offered an inadequate number of racks and lockers in response to our demands, and they have offered no new shower or other facilities.  We hope to change their minds through our continued efforts on behalf of employees who bike to work. 

Each and every employee who rides a bike to work potentially removes a car from the road.  There is typically a cost savings associated with bicycling – e.g., gas, parking, and other transit expenses.  Bike commuting reduces emissions and promotes employee wellness.  It is a win-win.    

 

EPA has preached a message of bike commuting and sustainability to others; it is time for our management to practice what they preach at our own headquarters!

Summary of Legislative Conference and Annual Training Conference

NTEU Legislative Conference and Annual Training

NTEU Legislative Conference (February 26-28, 2014)

NTEU held its Legislative Conference from February 26-28, 2014.  NTEU280's elected officers actively participated in this great opportunity to discuss Federal employee concerns with members of Congress and their staffs.  Among the issues discussed:

- ending sequestration
- ensuring adequate agency funding
- protecting our health benefits

- protecting our retirement benefits
- eliminating unnecessary contracting out; and
- limiting the reimbursement cap for individual contractors to the level of the Vice President of the United States' salary

President Colleen Kelley noted in her remarks to attendees that after years with no pay raises and increased out of pocket costs that "Federal workers are in danger of slipping from the middle class.  Many attendees expressed the concern that reductions in the value of pay and benefits are making it difficult to attract and keep new employees.

NTEU had a lunch time rally in front of the Capitol.  Despite cold and wind, it was very well attended, including by our Chapter.  Several members of Congress came out to speak to the crowd.

Participation in the legislative conference is an important activity for our Chapter.  In addition to getting the word out about our concerns to National decision-makers, we are able to network with officers from other NTEU chapters and learn about and strategize over common issues facing our members.

NTEU Training Conference (March 18-20, 2014)

NTEU held its training conference in Arlington, VA.  Twenty-six chapters were in attendance.

Chapter officers and stewards assembled, including your NTEU280 officers and several stewards.  In the opening plenary session, we watched an updated version of the video "Federal Employees - They Work for U.S." that included an interview with our own NTEU280 President, Amer Al-Mudallal.  National President Colleen Kelley explained that we are seeking a 3.3% pay raise but that even 1% is opposed by some.  She also mentioned that attacks on our federal employee health benefits continue.  The issue of contractor pay caps and wasteful contract consultants was also discussed.  NTEU's work on behalf of Federal employees continues!  NTEU280 was recognized as one of the chapters that has experienced significant growth in the President's remarks.

All elected officers and stewards have been encouraged to attend this training as their schedules permit.  Several attended, but we should have the goal of 100% attendance next year.  The training is designed in tracks to best serve participants in their Chapter roles. The track are seminar (typically for chapter presidents and similar senior officers), leadership (for officers and stewards who have completed their stewardship training), and stewardship (for new stewards or those seeking a refresher).

The annual training is highly valuable.  One item we look forward to every year is an update on cases.  In addition, grievance exercises are presented in a way that assists attendees to form groups and brainstorm, which will assist them in strategizing how to help members when they return to their own chapters.

Scientific Integrity and EPA's Scientific Integrity Policy - Part One

“Scientific Integrity” and EPA’s Scientific Integrity Policy

EPA will soon require an unspecified number of staff members to take an on-line training course intended to familiarize them with its Scientific Integrity Policy.  NTEU280, in an effort to educate its bargaining unit on the Policy’s laudable, as well as worrisome, elements, is initiating this blog series.  

Today’s blog entry begins with the most basic of questions – what is “scientific integrity”?  

A succinct answer to this question cannot be found in the Policy, the Principles of Scientific Integrity [1] upon which it was developed, in President Obama’s March 9, 2009 scientific integrity “kick-off” memo [2], or in the December 17, 2010 Office of Science and Technology Policy [3] memo on the subject of President Obama’s memo, although each document describes elements relating to what might go into a definition of “scientific integrity."

A good working definition for our purposes of “science” might be “knowledge about or study of the natural world based on facts learned through experiments and observation" [4].  

So what about “integrity”?  Here are a couple definitions [5]: "integrity" may be defined as “the quality of being honest and fair”; “the state of being complete or whole”

Combining the two definitions for the two words, we might have the following working definition for “scientific integrity":

Scientific Integrity:  knowledge or study of the natural world based on facts learned through experiments and observation, and which are arrived at, and represented, in an honest and fair manner.

Questions for our readers

• What do you think of the proposed definition for “scientific integrity”?  Any suggestions of your own? 

• Do you think that the Venn diagram below captures all of the elements and interrelationships of “scientific integrity”?  If it falls short, what do you think is amiss?

• How does personal character come into play in scientific integrity?  Are there other qualities or devices that might be critical to the integrity of an organization’s science?  What do you think those are?  

 Please send your comments to NTEU280 (nteu280blog@gmail.com) and and note if you would like them posted in our next Scientific Integrity blog posting.  All comments will be posted without identifying information. 

[Carleton University, Department of Psychology, Ottawa, ON, Canada.  http://www2.carleton.ca/psychology/ethics/ - Accessed 09.22.2013]] 

Stay tuned for more!

---

[1] USEPA.  National Labor Partnership.  EPA’s Principles of Scientific Integrity.  (Release/publication date not noted)

[2] Obama, Barack.  White House. Press Release.  Memorandum for the Heads of Executive Departments and Agencies.  Subject: Scientific Integrity.  March 9, 2009. 

[3] Holdren, John P.  Office of Science and Technology.  Memorandum for the Heads of Executive Departments and Agencies.  Subject:  Scientific Integrity.  December 17, 2010.

[4] http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/science [Accessed 09.22.2013]

[5] http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/integrity [Accessed 09.22.2013]